The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the European Union to the Philippines His Excellency Luc Véron visited the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority - General Santos Fish Port Complex  (PFDA) to inspect the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)'s Integrated Marine Environment Monitoring System (IMEMS) located within the port vicinity, on August 31, 2023.

IMEMS primarily aims to effectively monitor compliance of fishing vessels and control national fisheries and marine environment.

PFDA Acting General Manager Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan and PFDA-GSFPC OIC-Port Manager Mr. Paris U. Ayon welcomed the visiting from the EU.

During the meeting, GM Pangapalan talked about the PFDA's ongoing plans and projects for the industry, as well as the rehabilitation and improvement of PFDA-GSFPC.

In addition, BFAR Director Atty. Demosthenes R. Escoto talked about their agency's approach in battling illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF) in the country. Dir. Escoto also discussed BFAR's plans to install more IMEMS  transponders nationwide. 

They also discussed the Philippine fishing industry's competitive advantage to the economy and the need to maximize such resource to further improve the country's national development. 

GM Pangapalan and Dir. Escoto expressed their appreciation to Ambassador Véron for taking great interest and supporting the fisheries sector in the Philippines. 

The visiting team toured around the port's vicinity, including the IMEMS' location and Market 1. 

Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Ms. Drusila Esther E. Bayate, PFDA Assistant General Manager Ms. Iris R. de Vera, the rest of the PFDA Top Management, and BFAR XII Regional Director Mr. Usop D. Pendaliday Jr. also participated in the meeting and port walkthrough.

(PFDA Public Information Division)